Kapuseru Hoteru (Capsule Hotels)

A capsule hotel is a type of hotel accommodation popular mostly among travelers stranded for the night and those who are on a tight budget. Capsules are usually about 2m by 1m by 1.5m in dimension and so is unsuitable for those above six feet tall and, of course, for a claustrophobic. Despite the very limited space you will be surprised at how well equipped these hotels are. Each capsule usually comes with a built in mini TV, radio, and alarm clock, plus fresh bedding of course. You can also use the hotel’s lockers, shower rooms, laundry facilities, restaurants, vending machines, and clothes shop. An overnight stay costs ¥2000-4000 while an afternoon nap is usually even cheaper.

Capsule hotels have been around since 1979 and is pretty common in Japan. However the concept still hasn’t spread to other countries despite the convenience they bring.

Posted April 18th, 2007 by geisha | Comments Off

Vinegar, anyone?

Whoever thought that vinegar would become a popular drink? It sure is good for cooking and salad dressings but it is quite difficult to imagine drinking vinegar, isn’t it? Well in Japan, vinegar is one of the most sought after drinks. This is, however, not the vinegar that we are used to.

Called su, or rice vinegar, this liquid has a lot of purported health benefits. As such, it has become quite popular with the Japanese. Restaurants and cafes sell drinks comprised of rice vinegar and fruits or other ingredients. Aside from drinks, food establishments are trying to out do each other by incorporating rice vinegar into every dish imaginable – from vegetables to meat to desserts!

The main health benefit of vinegar is to lower blood pressure. It also prevents lactic acid to build up, making people less prone to fatigue. Other benefits are better digestion and resistance to fungal ailments.
[tags]Japan, food, drinks, su, rice vinegar, health[/tags]

Posted March 6th, 2007 by geisha | Comments Off

World’s Oldest Person

Japan is well known to the rest of the world as the home of all things innovative and sometimes, quirky. Yet today, Japan hits the headlines with a distinction of another kind – home to the oldest surviving person in the whole world. Yone Minagawa, 114 years old, receives this recognition as the other 114-year-old person in the world died. She was Emma Faust Tillman from the U.S.

Minagawa was born in January 4, 1893 and had five children in all. She has outlived all her children. Her 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, however, visit her regularly. Minagawa lives in a nursing home in Fukuchi in southern Japan. When told of the news, she just broke into a huge smile and said “My goodness, I am grateful.”

The nursing home staff says that Minagawa is quite active for her age and never fails to socialize with the people around her. Additionally, she has an amazingly healthy appetite for someone her age and loves sweets as well.
[tags]Women, Seniors, Old Age, southern Japan, Oldest person[/tags]

Posted February 1st, 2007 by geisha | Comments Off